Inspired by the mundane, marginalized mores of life and based on a combination of photographs, sketches and layered screen-printed papers, Tessa Alexander creates visual images which explore themes surrounding identity and heritage. Her compositions whether landscape or figurative are often juxtaposed or layered with motifs which reflect topical issues surrounding socio-political and economic hegemony.
The cover’s Dame Lorraines, Minding Your Business, armed with parasols while peering into a home, are part of the ongoing Carnival series which examines the perspectives and mannersims of masqueraders; a theme that Tessa continues to explore, intrigued by the “living ritual, the fluidity, vibrancy and unpredictability of Carnival”.
Tessa Alexander has an Associate’s degree in fashion design and an MFA in Cultural Studies, a fine artist and art educator, her work has been exhibited at home and abroad and can be found in international collections.
Inspired by the mundane, marginalized everydayness of life and based on a combination of photographs, sketches and memory Tessa creates visual images which explore themes surrounding identity and heritage.
Tessa is primarily a watercolour artist as the colour, and textures produced from the medium capture the Caribbean essence and is suitable to tropical conditions as it is fluid, quick drying and environmentally friendly. However, she will often combine handmade papers and cultural embellishments to reflect her own mixed heritage Trinidadian aesthetic.
Tessa is pleased to share with you her new series of work entitled "Return to Nature" that was scheduled to be exhibited this month.
“Heal yourself with the light of the sun and the rays of the moon. With the sound of the river and the waterfall. With the swaying of the sea and the fluttering of birds.”
María Sabina a Mexican healer and poet
"Return to Nature" 2021 is a series inspired by lockdown and restrictions enforced to control Covid spread, the series casts an appreciation for nature and the beauty that surrounds us on these islands and recognizes that we belong to the earth and that the earth does not belong to us and indeed nature is our first and most primal source of healing. These paintings therefore were created to bring a sense of peace and calm and ultimately happiness to the viewer.
Tessa has created a simple catalog for your viewing below. You can also find this work on my updated website www.tessaalexanderart.com/return-to-nature.
https://www.tessaalexanderart.com/
